I’m A Celeb bosses hit back at Chris Packham after he brands show ‘grotesque’ in blistering attack on Ant and Dec
ITV bosses have hit back at Chris Packham after the conservationist wrote an open letter to Ant and Dec demanding that I’m A Celeb stop using animals and insects in Bushtucker Trials.
In his attack on X/Twitter Chris, 62, accused the show of being “grotesque” for its “continued exploitation of animals”.
But ITV insisted in a statement today that “welfare and safety is always the primary priority” of the showmakers when it came to dealing with animals and insects.
The spokesman added protocols are in place that are “in compliance with all regional and national laws” in Australia.
He went on: “We have a very strict environmental plan in place on the show.
“Welfare and safety is always the primary priority on any of our programmes.
“At any Bushtucker trial that features animals, we have qualified and experienced animal handlers on site at all times.”
Chris previously attacked I’m A Celebrity in 2019.
He referred back to this in his open letter, asking Dec what his daughter would think of using animals in the series.
The letter has been viewed by 1.5million people and reposted by 10,000.